The 2008 Rocket Defense

After giving up 39.2 points per game and 444.1 yards per game in 2007, it is obvious that the Rocket defense needs to have a major improvement if Toledo is going to get back to the top of the MAC in 2008. Toledo head coach Tom Amstutz promises a much improved defense, but how will he accomplish this?

After giving up 39.2 points per game and 444.1 yards per game in 2007, it is obvious that the Rocket defense needs to have a major improvement if Toledo is going to get back to the top of the MAC in 2008.

Toledo head coach Tom Amstutz promises a much improved defense with more speed and aggressiveness this year. But how will he accomplish this?

Some players have moved positions. Some starters from last year are now 2nd or 3rd on the depth chart this year after Amstutz brought in several JUCO and incoming freshmen that appear to be ready to play in 2008. The Rockets have even brought in some new assistant coaches on the defensive side of the ball, giving the defense fresh ideas.

So what does the defense look like this year?

Only three players that started on defense in last year's final game are pencilled in as starters on the most recent depth chart for 2008. They are defensive tackle Skylaar Constant, strong safety Barry Church, and rover safety Lester Richmond. And Skylaar Constant only started 7 games in 2007.

There is no question that Barry Church and Lester Richmond are the veterans on this defense. In fact, they combined for 24 starts last season while the other 9 starters on the current depth chart combined for 20 starts.

Lester Richmond led the team with 73 tackles in 2007. He also forced two fumbles and recovered two fumbles.

Barry Church has been a star since setting foot on campus in 2006. Last season he was third on the team in tackles with 69.5 for the season. Richmond and former Rocket linebacker Greg Hay were the two defenders that had more tackles than Barry in 2007. Church also had 3 interceptions and 4 pass breakups.

Backing up Church at strong safety is Dreylon Pree and Chris Faison. Providing depth at the rover position, behind Richmond, is Joe Shuler, Anthony King, and true freshman Isaiah Ballard.

Outside of Church and Richmond the questions start flying.

Last season was supposed to be Tyrrell Herbert's final year at Toledo. However, a season ending injury in the opener against Purdue changed everything. In 2008 Herbert is hoping to get that magic back after being the starting free safety at Toledo ever since his freshman season.

He is in a fight for the starting free safety spot with true freshman Mark Singer. The New Jersey native has looked very well in camp and he should challenge Herbert, who is still trying to get back to 100%.

Cornerback is probably the most open race on the team, and with just over a week to go before the opener in Tucson, AZ Rocket fans might be wondering why starters are not etched in stone.

One reason is because of the additions of junior college players Joe Bates and Tyler Roby, as well as true freshman Andreas Ashwood.

Joe Bates has come into camp and played very well, and I think he will get the nod at one of the starting positions.

Desmond Marrow will likely be the other starter if he is healthy. He's missed some practices here in August with an injury, but it looks like he will be ready for the game next weekend.

Incoming true freshman Andreas Ashwood has played well and should see a lot of playing time at cornerback.

Tyler Roby has a lot of talent, but he is also getting looks on offense because of his athletic ability and speed. Not to mention that guys like Walter Atkins, Greg Harris, Myshan Pettis, and Kenny Veal will be providing depth at cornerback.

No matter how you look at it, Toledo has turned the cornerback position into a deep position this year. Last year Walter Atkins and Myshan Pettis made most of the starts at cornerback, and this year they are both listed as 3rd team cornerbacks. That's a definite upgrade from last year at that position.

The linebackers only have one player on the depth chart that played linebacker for Toledo in 2007, and that is Beau Brudzinski. He is in a batter with junior college transfer Daris Quinn for one of the starting spots. Quinn comes from Joliet CC where he recorded 70 tackles and was named First Team All-Conference.

The other linebacker spot seems to be locked up by Archie Donald. Donald was not eligible to play last season, after having a great freshman season in 2006. He recorded 43 tackles in 12 games in 2006.

Providing depth at linebacker for the Rockets is redshirt freshman Tyson Patrick and true freshmen Damien McIntosh and Terrell Anderson.

Derrick Summers and Keith Forestal have moved to defensive end this year, in an attempt to provide more speed and athleticism on the defensive line. Summers looks like he will start at one defensive end position with Forestal backing him up and true freshman Hank Keighly also providing depth. Keighly has shown some great pursuit speed in camp this August and figures to see time on the field this fall.

The other defensive end position looks to belong to junior college transfer Albertson Alexandre. Coach Amstutz and his staff landed a huge recruiting get when they signed the JUCO All-American in December. He is known as a sack specialist, something the Rocket defense needs desperately.

Douglas Westbrook is recovering from a knee injury that kept him out last season, and will provide depth along with Terrell Willis. Willis is another player that was a linebacker last season, but converted to defensive end this year because of his ability to get into the backfield quickly.

Sean Williamson is back after missing most of last season with an injury. He has played both defensive end and defensive tackle in his career at Toledo, and the 6th year senior looks like he will be a defensive tackle in 2008.

Williamson is currently listed 4th on the depth chart at one of the defensive tackle positions while he works on getting back to 100%. Starting at defensive tackle looks to be Skylaar Constant and Maurice Hill. Constant started 7 games for Toledo in 2007, while Hill started 5 games. Backing up Constant is experienced player Joe Underwood and true freshman Malcolm Riley. Backing up Hill is experienced senior Al Martin and true freshman Jon Lamb. And of course Williamson will be in the mix as well.

The Rockets also brought in Greg Lupfer to coach the safeties, and moved Andy Boyd over to coaching the secondary.

Last season was a tough season for Rocket fans and the UT defense, but 2008 looks promising with a good mix of new players, position changes, and new coaches. September 6th against the PAC 10's Arizona Wildcats will be the first test of this new defense. Just over one more week to wait.